Devils Miss Key Role Players From 2022-23 Team

Part of the New Jersey Devils' struggles in 2023-24 has been not having key role players like Tomáš Tatar and Jesper Boqvist on their roster.

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The New Jersey Devils' 2023-24 season has not gone according to plan. Injuries are part of the reason, as is goaltending. But let's call a spade a spade. This roster is not good enough and is nowhere near what the 2022-23 team looked like. 

One reason why the Devils aren't as good as a season ago is their depth, specifically up front. Tomáš Tatar, Jesper Boqvist, Miles Wood, and Yegor Sharangovich all moved on, and in were...well, really no one of significance. 

We'll look into what the Devils need in their bottom- and middle-six in the coming weeks. But for now, let's look at what the Devils lost, how that's affected the team this season, and how general manager Tom Fitzgerald didn't do enough to replace them. 

Retaining Tatar & Boqvist Could Have Solidified Depth

Losing Tatar has been the most significant loss for the Devils, in my opinion. He wasn't just a bottom-six forward, either. Former head coach Lindy Ruff used Tatar all over his top-nine last season, placing him on the third line or alongside Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. 

Hischier and Tatar had chemistry together, and it wasn't just in 2022-23. In Tatar's two seasons with the Devils, he and Hischier posted a 60.7 expected goals share (xG%) as linemates. The Devils outscored teams 52-28 when they were on the ice together, so there's no denying the results were incredible. 

Tatar finished last season with 20 goals and 48 points in 82 games. He was one of the team's most efficient five-on-five scorers and, more importantly, one of their best play drivers. Despite the lack of playoff success in his career, Fitzgerald should have re-signed him in hindsight. 

Yes, Tatar has struggled between the Colorado Avalanche and the Seattle Kraken this season, but fit matters. He was a good fit for the Devils, and it wouldn't have surprised me if he replicated some of his success this season by playing a bit alongside Hischier.